(BECKLEY, W. VA.)— Bluefield State College (BSC) and New River Community and Technical College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an Elementary Education Collaborative Program. The agreement was signed by Dr. Tom Blevins, president of BSC, and Dr. Ted D. Spring, president of New River, on Monday, June 11, according to a joint announcement from the schools.

The agreement will provide New River students a seamless transfer into School of Education at Bluefield State and will allow them to complete their coursework for the bachelor's degree close to home.

"Bluefield State College and New River have a long history of cooperation in the interest of our students," Spring commented. This agreement underscores our continuing efforts to remove barriers for students seeking a high quality, low cost education in our region. New River graduates can transfer anywhere. This opportunity allows them to stay right here in southeastern West Virginia to continue their education."

Beginning with the fall semester of 2012, Bluefield State College will deliver one to four courses per semester, as needed, to students in the Collaborative Program on weekends, weekdays, or evenings via traditional on-site courses and/or distance learning technologies. New River will provide appropriate classrooms for delivery of these courses, if needed. BSC will deliver the program at New River's Greenbrier Valley Campus in Lewisburg and at the Public Higher Education Center in Beaver.

"Because West Virginia now has an active community college system, it is incumbent upon baccalaureate colleges to make reciprocity agreements with local community colleges and to expand their outreach," Blevins said. "We are very happy with the efforts of Dr. Lucie Refsland with New River and BSC, and Dr. Betsy Steenken, interim dean of the School of Education, BSC, and we believe that this agreement with New River Community and Technical College is the beginning of an excellent relationship. We hope to move forward with other program articulations in the near future."

Bluefield State College is a member institution of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

New River Community and Technical College is a member institution of the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. New River serves nine counties in southeast and south central West Virginia from locations in Beckley, Lewisburg, Ghent, Princeton and Summersville. Administrative offices are located in Beckley.